West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company (WBSEDCL) has invited bids for a three-year operation and maintenance (O&M) contract for an existing 10 MW solar power project at Santaldih in the Purulia district of West Bengal.

The last date to submit the bids online is February 24, 2023. Bids will be opened on February 28.

The project’s estimated cost is ₹11.69 million (~$142,679).

Bidders will have to furnish ₹78,000 (~$952) as an earnest money deposit. The successful bidder must furnish an amount equivalent to 10% of the contract’s total value in the form of a performance bank guarantee within 15 days from the date of issuance of the letter of award.

Bidders should have experience in the execution of any solar power project or solar project-related work or O&M services for any state government, Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), any public sector undertaking, or any other government agency.

Also, they should have experience in the execution of any 33/11 kV distribution substation and its O&M services for any state government, SECI, any public sector undertaking, or any other government agency.

Further, bidders should have experience in executing a single project in the solar sector or non-solar sector costing at least 50% of the estimated cost of the project, two projects each costing at least 40% of the project’s estimated cost, or three projects of each costing not less than 30% of the project’s estimated cost during the last three financial years.

Additionally, the minimum average annual turnover of bidders should be at least 30% of the project’s estimated cost during the last three financial years.

According to the tender documents, bidders must ensure a net minimum guaranteed generation of 1.3 MU/MW for the first year after handing over the project and at a reducing rate of 1% per year for subsequent years of the project’s life.

WBSEDCL has stated that the performance guarantee of solar modules should be at least 25 years according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s guidelines.

Last year, WBSEDCL had issued a notice inviting tender for comprehensive O&M of three years for 1,089 kW of grid-connected rooftop solar systems on buildings in Bandel Thermal Power Station in Hooghly, West Bengal.

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